THE family and friends of Sir David Amess today launched a public appeal to support five outstanding charities as a legacy for the fallen MP after years of devotion to his constituents.

Southend Council has spearheaded a new campaign, on behalf of the Amess family, urging people to donate to a fundraiser for five leading charities dear to Sir David’s heart.

It comes four weeks after the Southend West MP died after being stabbed multiple times during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh in a suspected terror-related attack.

A month on, Sir David’s family and friends are appealing for people to donate to a Just Giving page set up by Southend Council to support the five charities rather than sending flowers or tributes.

Sir David was a passionate campaigner for charities during his 40 year career as an MP, firstly for Basildon and then for Southend West.

The charities set to benefit from the appeal are: Music Man Project, Prost8 charity, Dogs Trust, Endometriosis UK and The Dame Vera Lynn memorial appeal.

The fundraising Just Giving page set up by Southend Council reads: “The family and loved ones of Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, have been overwhelmed by the public support and the number of kind messages, flowers and tributes left in his memory, in the wake of his untimely death.

“As his funeral approaches, those closest to him kindly request that in lieu of flowers and other tributes, monetary donations are made to several key charities which Sir David passionately and wholeheartedly supported. On behalf of Sir David, his family and loved ones, thank you for your kind donation and helping his charitable work live on.”

Over the past month, the outpouring of support for Sir David, 69, who was married with five children, has been overwhelming with kind messages, flowers and tributes left in his memory.

A horse-drawn procession is scheduled for Sir David on November 22 at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell.

Crowds are expected to turn out to pay their respects to Sir David.

This will be followed by a funeral the next day at Westminster Cathedral.

You can help the appeal by donating cash to the charities by logging onto www.justgiving.com/team/SirDavidAmess